`
Behind the thick crimson and gold thread curtains
he stands listening to the din of the audience
searching their seats for popcorn crumbs
while roaming hands brush against the legs
of those sitting closest
The young girls get the winks
and free drinks as the old men
vie for position, straightening their hair
and flashing thick wallets
from stretched out back pockets
He peeks through the slit in the
fancy brocade drapes to find a full house,
everyone is here, the self imposed mayor
wearing a handmade campaign button
shakes hands and seeks signatures
Mrs. Broadmore assigns seats in her row
as the little people gather around, telling her
how beautiful she is while hoping for a glimpse
of the diamond crusted gin filled flask she keeps
tucked away in her left garter
The lights dim as the depressed sulk to their seats in the balcony,
broken hearts fill the back rows closest to the bar,
cheerleaders in pink lipstick and short skirts, the football team
all stoned out of their minds and the debate club collect in the center
while the pretty people, the wealthy pose in the front rows
He gets the signal as the curtain slowly lifts
to the ceiling on well oiled pulleys
There is not a sound as he makes his way
to the microphone at center stage, dead silence
but he reads his poem anyway
It is obvious he is no Leonard Cohen
but he does his best as he recites the verses
he has penned especially for this evening
Upon finishing he stares out as two people
clap their approval and the others whisper and look away
His shoulders drop as he leaves the stage,
head hung low, crumbling the paper he had read from
and tossing it in the trash as he wonders aloud, “Why, why do I do it?”
A janitor sweeping near the exit door hears him
and shaking his head replies, “Because you’re a poet, that’s why”
Hello, Willweb! :)
You've written a vivid scene here, given everyone personality, and abused your poet. Haha
I enjoy irony, and this one is brutal. Thanks for sharing.
Why do we write? Because we are compelled to write and suffer for it too. Your poem reminded me of when I ventured to the monthly poetry meeting at the arts centre in my town. The first time I read one of my poems out, I became an actress :)) If it had been me on that stage, I wouldn't have been able to do it. Pleased to say, I went to quite a few sessions before giving up.
Chris
Posted 2 Years Ago
2 Years Ago
That's very cool. You never know until you try and if you become an actress in the process, then so .. read moreThat's very cool. You never know until you try and if you become an actress in the process, then so be it. As long as you enjoy yourself is all that matters. It is that way with poetry, at least in my opinion, just go for it, if you enjoy, then it was worth writing whether others like it or not. Thanks so much for reading and for your wonderful comment on my piece,
What a description... I was reading it as if I were there! You described the hopelessness so beautifully. Yes poets get less recognition and more so in today's time. I have many friends who always asks me why do I write poetry... Why not prose in the form of book.poet try to romantacise many things which were sometimes not taken very seriously... And it's a bit frustrating. It's a very appealing write...
Posted 2 Years Ago
2 Years Ago
Thanks so much Dreamer. I am happy you stopped by and enjoyed this so much. It was fun to write know.. read moreThanks so much Dreamer. I am happy you stopped by and enjoyed this so much. It was fun to write knowing what poets do go through.
even if we just get scoffs and heads turning away...we need to write and we need to share what we write.
And I guess a bad reaction is better than no reaction at all.
I remember once my mom reading one of my books. As she finished, she set it down and said "This is awful, I don't understand a word of it"---
Inside my head I silently said "Thanks for the Encouragement" and then just kept on writing.
j.
Posted 2 Years Ago
2 Years Ago
So true and that is why we do it. Tough deal with your mom and your book but hey, mothers are tough .. read moreSo true and that is why we do it. Tough deal with your mom and your book but hey, mothers are tough critics and at least they say what they feel...no sugar coating there. : )
Thanks for reading and commenting
Hi, I am willweb. Maybe you remember me and maybe you don't. I have been writing here on and off for years. I pop in and write and read and comment and make friends and learn new things.
I enjoy maki.. more..